NEWS
Shell, government committed to restructuring Atlantic LNG
As negotiations on the future of Atlantic LNG (ALNG) train one and its restructuring continue, Shell’s vice president and company chair for TT Eugene Okpere says it is committed to the future of the country. Speaking at the signing of the Manatee production sharing contract between TT and Shell at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain on Wednesday morning, Okpere said Shell is keen to continue discussions. Read more here
First Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 lands in T&T
Caribbean Airlines received the first of several Boeing 737 Max 8 last evening. The aircraft, bearing registration 9Y-CAL, touched down at Piarco International Airport at 11:18pm after an approximately 8-hour journey from the Snohomish County Airport, Seattle. According to Caribbean Airlines, the aircraft will be prepared for induction in the coming weeks and is expected to begin commercial flights in January. Read more here
POLITICS
House passes motion to end SoE
The state of emergency (SoE) will end at midnight on Wednesday. Hours earlier, the House of Representatives passed a motion to terminate the SoE from that time with 20 Government MPs voting for the motion and 14 Opposition MPs abstaining. Notable absentees during the sitting were Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal. Al-Rawi, who is currently out of TT, was granted a leave of absence by House Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George from November14-25. Oropouche West MP Dave Tancoo was granted leave from Wednesday's sitting. Read more here
Minister: Only 10 adverse reactions to 1.2m doses administered
With over 1.2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered, the Ministry of Health has only ten reports of adverse reactions. These include blood clots and myocarditis. At the ministry’s COVID-19 update on Wednesday, Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh compared this figure to the 1800-plus deaths among unvaccinated people. Deyalsingh said the eligible population for COVID-19 vaccines was approximately 1 million adults and an estimated 100,000 children between the ages of 12-18. Up until Wednesday, the number of people with a complete vaccine regime (one and two-dose vaccines) was 630,781, representing 45.1 per cent of the population. In terms of partial vaccinations, there were 634,603, representing 45.3 per cent. So far, 6639 people have received their additional primary dose. With less than 50 per cent complete vaccination, Deyalsingh said this was not good enough. Read more here
BUSINESS
Illinois businesses told at virtual trade talks: Trinidad ideal for investment
If you ask Jim Swartout, president and CEO of Myerson LLC, Trinidad and Tobago is not only a good choice when it comes to making foreign investments, it is a smart choice. Myerson LLC, a globally recognised dental company based in Chicago, Illinois, has invested in TT through its factory on Trinity Avenue, Laventille, for the past 70 years. The hundred-plus year-old company, established in 1917, found its way to TT’s shores in the early 50s when the Myerson family came to TT on a trade mission. Read more here
PNM, PDP must face Tobago’s economic challenges
Whichever political party wins the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election on December 6 is likely to inherit a Tobago that is facing significant economic challenges. Moody’s Investor Service in its latest credit opinion dated September 13, has given the THA a negative rating outlook and long term rating of Ba1. Limited economic diversification, very low own-source revenue, and weaknesses in reporting of financial statements have been identified by Moody’s in that report as challenges to the THA’s credit profile over the medium to long term. In 2012 the THA took the decision to obtain a stand-alone credit rating. Read more here
REGIONAL
$700M hinterland housing programme to be rolled out in 2022
The government, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), will be recommencing its Hinterland Housing Programme early next year. The programme carries a value of $700M. This was announced by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, during a community meeting at Waina village, Region One. He noted that some 100 families in communities in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine will benefit from the construction of homes and home improvement subsidies under the programme. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Merkel: Germany hit by full force of Covid
Germany is in the grip of a "dramatic" fourth Covid wave, Chancellor Angela Merkel has said on the eve of a crisis meeting with regional leaders. Daily infections hit a new German record of 52,826 on Wednesday as European governments responded to a surge on much of the continent. Belgium announced a series of measures in an attempt to avoid a lockdown. "All the alarm signals are red," said Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, as he told people to limit personal contact. "Europe's map is quickly going red, and we are the same." Read more here
18th November 2021